Step. Step. Another step.
With shadows flickering in the blind spots of the candles Asher walked through the hallway, the vast view of the city in his left and paladins standing guard at his right.
After a hectic day, he was on his way to his room. Nero was right behind him. The gentle clicks usually heard from armour couldn’t be heard from him as he had mastered the art of silence!
Although it seemed inconsequential, Nero was slowly making his way to the top of the world. No one knew there was a twelve year old sacred-ranked knight somewhere in the north!
A colour blind one.
A few metres away from his door, Asher’s nostrils were stung by rich perfume, coming from his room!
His eyes narrowed.
The fingers of his right hand twitched, craving for the leather touch of a sword’s hilt.
Asher came to a sudden halt.
“You’re dismissed.”
Nero was stunned but saluted, turned heel and walked away.
Asher looked at the paladins right before his door, Eleazar and Levi, the strongest amongst the paladins and his brows furrowed further.
Holding the handle, he looked at both men, his brows locked in contemplation.
The rich fragrance was thicker than ever, coming from behind the doors.
With a deep breath, he pulled the door open, his eyes slowly yet surely widened at the sight of the woman elegantly seated on his bed.
His eyes trailed her exposed, white legs glistening under the orange light of the candle to the light, purple gown that seemed to be slightly transparent.
Cold wind blew against Asher, rooting him in place.
The sleeveless gown was held by a black leather belt and it was made in a way that her beautiful legs were in full view!
Her raven hair cascaded down her back and her skin obviously oiled with evergreen olive oil and some fragrances glistened temptingly.
Her lips, her eyes, everything about her exuded max allure.
“Asher…”
Sapphira called out softly when she saw him unmoving.
Step. Step.
Asher took two steps, turned and closed the door. Then he turned back to her but refused to leave the door.
“Why are you here?”
“You don’t want me here?”
Her question threw him off for a moment. With a sigh, he walked toward his table, unbuckled the belt holding his swords and dropped it on the table.
Then he unsheathed Euodias.
He looked at the polished blade, seeing a part of his face.
All of sudden, Sapphira appeared behind his reflection causing him to tilt his head toward her.
His eyes locked on the ring on the single braid. It had a flower pattern with tiny diamonds that looked like water droplets after a night of dew.
“Asher… I don’t have parents so you have nothing else, no other requirements that hold you back. From the moment you gave me this ring, I became yours.”
Her soft palm touched his back.
Asher turned completely toward her, held her cheeks gently and kissed her forehead.
“Go back.”
The fervent desire in his eyes and his words didn’t match.
“You would say that to your woman? Do you need another man fighting over me before you realize I am your wif—!”
Asher sealed her lips.
“You asked for this!” His deep voice fell as he lifted her and approached the king sized bed.
…
The night was long, warm, fuzzy and filled with several emotions all combined into one, flooding the mind like a flood.
Unfortunately, all great things were bound to end. In this same blissful night, a man named Gerald, the nameless knight disguised as a human to enter paradise!
A lean, tall man with long white hair like a woman’s stood in the streets of paradise, looking at the lord’s estate with squinted eyes.
“So… princess… you now go by the name Sapphira.”
His deep voice echoed. Strapped to his back was a huge object covered in a gray cloth and tied with thick ropes.
…
Chirp! Chirp!
A blonde haired woman clad in a black dress walked into the lord’s personal bedroom with a small tray.
A steaming cup was on it.
She dropped it on the table and looked at the sleeping beauty on the king sized bed. Cynthia’s pupils shook when she touched the bed and found it creaking to her touch.
Dread caught her heart at the intensity of the event last night. How could they make a bed that strong turn to this in just one night!
Considering her in the position of Sapphira made her heart drop.
Her lord might be appealing but she couldn’t handle this. Her corpse would be dragged out the next morning!
Suddenly, Sapphira stirred and opened her eyes.
Cynthia bowed. “Good morning, Lady Sapphira.”
Sapphira responded with a soft nod. She turned to the other side but Asher wasn’t there.
“Where is he?”
Cynthia took a letter from the table and handed it over to Sapphira.
Off to Mount Seir. You are only permitted to rest today.
Signed. Asher Ashbourne, your husband.
Reading this, a blissful smile graced Sapphira’s face. Although it was a few words, it meant a lot to her that he sat down to write, sign and even seal it before leaving.
“He also requested green tea for you.”
Cynthia brought the tray.
“Thank you.” Sapphira said softly, and took hold of the cup.
…
With the aid of mages and their ability to open portals, Asher and two hundred paladins were able to reach the city of Edom after three days!
When they rode into the city, it was already late but the welcome of Edom’s chief was pleasing.
Rhythmic tapping of boots fell into the ear of Esau Ross, his wife Catherine Ross and their mages.
“It’s them.”
Esau gestured for the grey knights to open the door and the moment they did, valiant men clad in armour and cloaks were revealed approaching the hall.
Ahead of them was a man in a suit of armor that embraced his body. It seemed like the armor was made of leather but no one knew it was dwarven ore mixed with the scales of a wyvern.
The swords at his waist dangled as he walked.
Both his face and that of the BloodBlade clad in pitch black armor with the everlasting stain of blood across one eye hole and that of the paladins behind him were covered by their helmet.
Esau rose up.
“Achilles. It’s an honour to have you and your men here.”
The huge rat smiled.
